WHIPLASH: Rai's claims put the Congress in the dock once again

Former CAG Vinod Rai's 'startling'
allegations in the 2G spectrum
case that Prime Minister
Manmohan Singh was aware of the
scam is actually not that stunning

Former CAG Vinod Rai's "startling" allegations in the 2G spectrum case that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was aware of the scam is actually not that stunning.

Rai has claimed that then telecom minister A Raja had informed Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on the allocation of 2G spectrum.

This is not the first time this fact has come out in the public domain.

In November 2010 and August 2011, India Today carried cover stories on A Raja's offensive that clearly mentioned Singh was in the loop.

Not only Singh, the stories gave exhaustive accounts of how most of his senior cabinet colleagues were also aware about the 2G scam in the making.

But then public memory is short and Vinod Rai seems to be playing on it.

He has timed his "disclosure" with the release of his book "Not Just an Accountant".

Rai joins the list of those disgruntled souls like Dr. Singh's former media advisor Sanjaya Baru, former external affairs minister K Natwar Singh and former coal secretary PC Parakh who exposed the gross inadequacies in the UPA regime in general and the submissiveness of Manmohan Singh.

By targeting Singh, the former CAG has ensured that the eroded credibility of the former PM goes into irreversible mode.

Rai has clearly said the buck stopped at the PM's table to stop the irregularities happening right under his nose.

Congress spokespersons have rushed to the defence but the arguments put forward by them are not convincing.

It has reached a stage where none other than Singh can present the facts of the case to clear his name in the eyes of the public.

If Vinod Rai wanted to use the launch of his book to toss a volley at the former PM, he has succeeded.

Thanks to his allegations the Congress is on the backfoot at a time when the party needs to regroup after suffering one of its worst electoral defeats.